.300 --- .338 <update>

finally going elk hunting in Oct.!!

any advantages or disadvantages to either caliber?

i have a .30-06, bro in law says nay, what say ya'll

EDIT
i stumbled across a Weatherby Vanguard 300 WBY MAG for $305 and bought it. grade this decision and be gentle if you are going to drag me through the mud

I really dislike the 30-06 however it is a very good cartridge. If you like it, are comfortable with it and shoot it well what more could you ask?

I've had both. The 300 has less recoil, but shoots a lighter bullet. It has less drop at distance, but shoots a lighter bullet. If you reload, the components for the 338 are more expensive....hell, everything for the 338 is more expensive. Both are completely adequate for the job. for somebody that reloads, the 338 will do everything the 300 will and more. YMMV. FWIW, it seems that 300 is a bit easier to find in smaller stores.

The best one will be the one you shoot the best. The .30-06 will be plenty.

That .30-06 loaded with a 180gn bonded core or Barnes TSX will easily get the job done. But if you are just looking to get another rifle, I'd understand.

nope, not looking to buy stuff i don't need. the want part is what get's ya in trouble.
avg. shot distance is about 300yds, according to my BIL not accustomed to shots of that distance, flattest trajectory would be a benefit

if max distance you guys will shoot is 300 yards, 30-06 will be plenty

You don't need a magnum for a 300 yard shot. What you need are strong shooting fundamentals, and then you need to practice shooting at 50 - 500 yards.

For hunting deer sized or larger animals you need to be able to estimate range to within 25 yards AND keep your all of your rounds on a paper plate at that distance. If you can't do all of that EVERY time, then you really don't have any business taking the shot REGARDLESS of what cartridge you are using.

'06 will be much easier on your shoulder,wallet and ears. 180 gr. bullet will do good w/out the magnum velocity. Should do less damage to meat also.

thanks for the sermon i don't and never plan to a bad shot. that's why i asked for the info, so that i can spend the time to prepare for the next 9 months.

i truly appreciate all the info from ya'll and value it greatly from trustworthy folks from this sight.

by the way, are we talking paper cake plates, or regular sandwich plates??

thanks for the advice preacher, TXROT

while I said 30-06 is plenty, I use 300 RUM

My last name is P-e-a-c-h-e-r. I'm not a minister.

Standard paper picnic plates (8 inch, i believe) are just fine. No one ever plans to take a bad shot, yet it still happens, even with the best of shots. (Like a nationally ranked high power shooter losing a national match because he shot the x-ring on the wrong target. It wasn't me! LOL)

i just threw the "r" in there for shits and giggles. lol last year while sighting in my .243 mysterious holes began to appear on my paper dude two slots down with some crazy powered scope was punching holes in my target at 100 yds. i asked him how he was doing / just fine / what lane are you shooting / 10? / so why are your bullets putting holes in target 12 / they're not/ drop the power and check your own paper / we got a good laugh

I have harvested elk cleanly with .308, .270, 30-06, 6.8 SPC, 300win, .35 whalen, 375 ultramag and 300 ultra mag. All I use now in the old .35 whelen but I would choose the 30-06 second over all the other high recoil high priced mags. My 300 win mag was in a sendero so it kicked very little but packing it really sucked.

.375 H+H??

Good thing you got that rifle cheap, ammo ain't. Get a scope with max eye relief
See ya

My favorite caliber. Ever. But not needed for elk. As far as I am concerned if I can't kill it with a 30-06 I need a .375... but not for elk.

If going with the 300, get a SIMS buttstock pad. Tamed my 300 Ultra Mag enough where did not mind shooting more than 10 rounds at the range. They are definitely worth the money in my opinion.

30-30, and 30-06 have killed a lot of big game animals over last 150 years. Of course everything improves with time, and In my opinion, the 300 would be a great choice.

Not preaching, but as someone else mentioned above. Practice shooting (same loads) at various distances. This will assist in compensating for rise/drop really quickly.

Everyone has a favorite ammo, and if you are not a reloader, then I would recommend the Winchester Ballistic Silver tips. I am amazed at how well they perform.
I have used them in my 243,270, 30-06, 308 and 7mm mag. They make my 243 perform like a much bigger caliber, without the "Thump" to my shoulder. Plus gun is lighter.

As a side not, for long range shooting, a range finder is a great tool. They are small enough now that they can fit in shirt pocket. ( I got mine off Ebay for 80 bucks and have been using for 3 years).

That Vanguard will serve you well....Mine has killed an elk, 2 buffler, a few deer, 2 yotes, 2 bobcats....and lots of paper!!! If you don't like the recoil, you can have it fitted with a Weatherby muzzle brake. It does tame the recoil!!! Mine likes the Remington 180gr Coreloks just fine. If they'll blow thru a buffler, they'll kill an elk!!!

i have used the ballistic silvertips in my .243, left an entry wound the size of a beer can- what a freakin mess

+2 on the muzzle brake. I recommend Vais brakes.

I have a Remington 700 SPS in .300wsm that I'm using for an all around hunting gun and I have a custom built 7wsm that I use as a prairie rifle (antelope and plains deer). Both are extremely flat shooting and will take anything in my state from prairie dogs to elk and beer. The 7wsm is a gun I built that's really heavy (14lbs)....there's hardly any felt recoil with a brake. The 300wsm probably weights about 8 or 9lbs and with a Vais brake I can shoot it all day with no issue.

Nice score on the Weatherby.

A family freind has one and has used it on moose with very good results.
Omly thing is the ammo is $$$$.

That was a very good score for the price. Can't beat that.

I have both the 300 win mag and 338 win mag. I will say ranges of 400 and under the 338 hits harder. Once you get out at longer ranges actually the 300 win mag does better. I killed an elk with my 338 at 280m it took about 5 steps and dropped dead. The bullet went through the left lung, heart, then the right lung and lodged between the skin and hide on the right side. I will say may 300 is a heavier rifle and my 338 is lighter to hump but the 338 kicks a lot more. Based on my experience on hunting don't be suprised if you got to take that 600m shot at an elk.

txrot

It appears that you've made your decision already. You'll do just fine with the 300 Wthby. Don't buy into the hyper velocity mantra. Use the heaviest bullets you can find. 200 would be my preference in the 30 cal but no less than 180. If you handload use a good bullet - I like the Nosler Accubonds. I've been in on many elk kills (500+) and have seen everything under the sun used to try to kill them (from 25-06 - 90 gr HP to 378 Wthby Mag). The 90 grainers did not do well. After 30+ yrs my opinion is this: Use more gun than you first think you need. But you don't need to go overboard. There's a big difference between trophy hunting and just going out to kill your winter meat. If you think you might need to take that 600yd shot on that 350 B&C bull because there's no other way to get to him you'd better have enough gun. The reason is that it will absoultelly have more shock value and penetration especially at the longer distances. The current rage is all about the Ultra Mags and 30/378s. Well, whatever floats yer boat but I consider them a bit of over kill. Some proponents of these hyper velocity cartridges trot out their super flat trajectories and give you the impression that all you have to do is hold dead on from 50 to 500 yd and you'll turn 'em upsidedown. BS. There's a small window of yardage where you'll get a trajectory advantage with the UMs but it's not very much. Out to about 400 yards you're going to treat all trajectories of the modern mags about the same at least on elk size game. Once you've gotten out past 500 yards, though, you'd better know the range (read rangefinder) pretty dern close (25 yds) or you're going to miss or wound and start spraying. And you'd better shoot that rifle so you know where to hold. My preference is to use a tactical type scope where you can turn it to the exact range.

My favorite? I use a standard 338 Win Mag with 250 grn Nosler Accubonds. As I said above, I much prefer the heavier bullets. My loads aren't going but about 2700 fps and I've had hunters kill out to 650 yds (big bull) with it up to this point. Don't take that kind of shot if the wind is blowing. Again, most of my opinion here is based on a trophy hunting scenario. Elk are tough and even young bulls will surprise you. I still always recomend heavier over lighter. If you're only going for cows than that's a bit different. Take you deer rifle.

As for recoil and those worried about it - quit whining! Shoot it! Get used to it! Elmer Kieth lives!!!!!!!

GK

colorado '08 350+ yards 30-06 180g handload

Most people use big cases to drive a bullet faster. Don't. Push a heavier bullet with a higher BC from them.

Nice job. Very nice animal.

Gotta love a 338 win, but 06 can handle most stuff. Dad took a nice young bull moose with an rem 760 30-06 with 220gr softpoints.

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